LYMAN — Sharon Taylor, 70, of Lyman died Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Salt Lake City due to complications after a stroke she suffered on Feb. 12.
Sharon was born Jan. 2, 1948, in Neosho, Mo. She was the youngest of eight children born to Mamie Frances (Wright) and Charles Mansfield Ballentine. Sharon grew up and attended school in Diamond, Mo., where she was active in FFA and a cheerleader. She was surrounded by her siblings, nieces and nephews. She married her high school sweetheart Johnnie Lee Jeans after attending Crowder College for two years. John was drafted into the Army shortly afterward.
Between John’s military posting and late construction jobs, they lived in California, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mountain View, Arizona, returned to Oklahoma, moved to Texas, and then returned to Bridger Valley for good. They had two children: Heather and John (Eric) Jeans.
Sharon and John divorced in 1994. Sharon stayed in Lyman and met Robert Fred (Bob) Taylor and fell in love. They married on Feb. 19, 1996, and played “Keeper of the Stars" at their wedding. She gained daughter Tracy and son Dean, as well.
Sharon worked as a hospital receptionist, medical transcriber and sold Avon and Tupperware. She worked for Union Telephone Company in Mountain View as a console operator and in the advertising department for a total of 18 years. She then worked for Jacobs Engineering as a receptionist for a few years, had a digital photography business for a while and then was the secretary for the Assembly of God Church.
Sharon was a Girl Scout leader and volunteer soccer and baseball coach. She was a member of the Bridger Valley Little League Board of Directors for several years. She loved attending her kids’ activities, and later doing the same for her grandkids as much as possible.
Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, and went through chemo and radiation treatments. In 2004, it was discovered the cancer had metastasized into a tumor at the base of her brain. It was removed, and after radiation treatments, she was determined to be cancer free. She was a Grand Marshall for Bridger Valley’s Relay for Life.
Sharon loved the outdoors, and was always happy in “her mountains.” One of her favorite things to do with Bob was to go on long drives and just take in the scenery. She pointed out the beauty in almost everything, and always talked about how God was responsible for it all. Sharon loved her Jesus, and was active in her church as much as her health allowed her to be. She placed her faith in God for everything. She always said that when you had a problem, you had only to give it to God, and you would get your answer. It might not always be the answer you wanted, but it was the right one. She was always worried about taking care of others, and would often fuss and worry about someone else’s needs before her own.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: A.L. (Al) and Hershel; and sisters, Beatrice (Bea) and Flossie.
She is survived by her husband, Bob; daughter: Heather (Wade) Lamoreaux; and stepson, Dean Taylor, all of Lyman; son, Eric (Audrey) Jeans, Casper; stepdaughter, Tracy Taylor, Cheyenne; grandsons, Colby (Kimberleigh) Gaylord, Dickinson, N.D.; Camrin and Caden Jeans, Casper; and Bobby Taylor, Cheyenne; granddaughters: Mikayla Lamoreaux, Evanston; Sherry Taylor, Rock Springs; Kaitlynn Flanagan, Casper; and Clarissa Killian, Cheyenne; brother, Chuck (Jeanie) Balentine, Friendswood, Texas; sisters: Pat (Marvin) Page, Olathe, Kan.; and Deanie Cox, Springfield, Mo.; great-grandson, Holden Killian, Cheyenne, and numerous nieces and nephews.
As per Sharon’s wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will hold a celebration of her life at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Assembly of God Church in Urie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sharon's name to Wyoming Cancer Resource Services. The address to send donations to is: WCRS, 1013 W Cheyenne Dr. Rm.108, Evanston, WY 82930.
